We made a long 13 hr trip with a 2 month old when we were first time parents. I rode in the back to watch the baby, dh (dear husband) drove. We stopped often, and I nursed while dh (dear husband) pumped gas, got food, etc. Then he changed the baby in the car (on the passenger seat) while I went to the bathroom. I ate my food while we drove. It took a long time with all the stopping, but it worked pretty well overall. Baby never left the car, just went from seat to me to dh, then back to the seat- helps with all the gas station germs.

That being said... I probably wouldn't choose to do it again. Now as a 3rd time mom, I'd just say no.

Take breaks and take LO (little one) out of the car often. There was a woman in my new mom's group at the hospital a couple years ago who took a long car ride with LO (little one) (I don't remember exactly how old; I know he was younger than 4 weeks, but better safe than sorry). He slept in the car most of the time, so they took advantage and didn't stop for breaks. Well, he was sleeping because of a growth spurt, and being in the car for so long with his head tilted (even with the head support), his neck muscles on one side did not elongate like the other side, so he had to be in all sorts of therapy and stuff. It is absolute worst case scenario, but I remember how upset she was with herself that they didn't stop more often. Like I said, I think he was much younger than your LO (little one) will be (maybe a couple days instead of a couple weeks), but I'd rather be safe than sorry.

Other than that - pack lots of diapers, changes of clothes, burp cloths, and receiving blankets in easy to reach places in the car, not just your bags for the trip. If LO (little one) has a blowout, or multiple, you will need them! I can't count how many times I was thankful for a receiving blanket to put down in DD's carseat after a blowout in the car.

I dressed dd (dear daughter) lightly and sat next to her in the back. I pumped then bottle fed her to reduce the number of stops. The newborn diapers hold more urine than you expect and I applied a thick diaper cream layer for added skin protection. She wasn't too fussy as a new born and our 6-7 hour drive with 1 longer stop and one diaper change stayed right on schedule. Just make sure you have a back up plan to take longer if lo doesn't travel well. When did was 4 months or so, we used my phone for music she loved. At that point traveling was getting tricker, but as a new born it was easy

Stop plenty and get lo out of the car seat and in a carrier so they get a break from sitting in the car seat position. I would stop at least 3-4 times for at least 45-60 minutes and have baby in a carrier while you eat or walk around. I love my ktan and ergo

We are moving cross-country with a three week old and a toddler. It's a horrible idea, but unavoidable. Be flexible, plan to take as long as you need.

When my toddler was 5 weeks old, we drove what's normally a 12 hour trip in 17 hours. I pumped some milk so she could eat along the way. When we stopped, she just wanted to snuggle and forgot to eat. Honestly, the last hour or so was miserable, but we just pushed through.

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